Nauthúsagil Ravine
Our favourite "I can't believe more people don't know about this" stop — a narrow, mossy ravine just over an hour south of the cabin, where you wade a stream and follow chains in to find waterfalls hidden inside.
Why we love Nauthúsagil
If you ask us for somewhere a bit off the usual trail, this is the one we point to. Nauthúsagil is a narrow, moss-draped ravine just over an hour south of the cabin, and most people drive straight past it on their way to the big-name waterfalls. That's exactly its charm — you'll often have the whole place more or less to yourselves.
It starts as an easy stroll along a stream, but the walls quickly close in overhead and it turns into a proper little adventure. Chains are bolted into the rock to help you pick your way deeper, wading the shallow stream and squeezing between mossy boulders as the daylight fades and the sound of water builds — until you reach the falls tucked away inside. We love how green and otherworldly it feels in there, with rowan trees leaning out over the ridge like a roof.
Our practical advice: wear boots or shoes you don't mind soaking, bring a waterproof jacket, and tuck your phone somewhere dry — the rocks are genuinely slippery, so take the chains seriously and go slowly. We'd call it moderate going: great fun for adventurous families, but not the place for tiny children. It sits between Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, so it slots perfectly into the middle of a south-coast waterfall day.
Distance from Cabin
~80 km / about 1 hour 10 minutes by car from Northern Lights Cabin via Route 1 and a short gravel road.
The Adventure
Wade through a shallow stream, use chains on the canyon walls, and squeeze through narrow passages to discover hidden waterfalls.
Visit Duration
45–90 minutes for the full ravine experience. Open year-round, 24/7. Best visited in summer (June–September).
Our Tip
Far quieter than nearby Seljalandsfoss, so it's well worth the small detour. Wear shoes you can soak and take the chains slowly — the rock is slippery.
Admission
Free entry and free parking. Located behind the farm Stóra-Mörk, just past Seljalandsfoss on the south coast.
Nauthúsagil Gallery
Photos from our adventure through this hidden ravine — from the mossy entrance to the secret waterfalls deep inside.
Location & Directions
Nauthúsagil is about a 1 hour 10 minute drive from Northern Lights Cabin along Iceland's scenic south coast.
From Northern Lights Cabin
- Distance: ~80 km (50 miles)
- Drive time: ~1 hour 10 minutes
- Route: Head south to Route 1 (Ring Road) and drive east past Seljalandsfoss. Turn onto the gravel road towards Stóra-Mörk farm. The ravine is a short walk from the parking area.
- Parking: Free parking near the farm. Short walk to the ravine entrance.
Good to Know
- Wear waterproof boots or shoes you don't mind getting wet — you will wade through a stream inside the ravine.
- The rocks are slippery — use the chains and ropes bolted into the walls for support.
- Bring a waterproof jacket and consider waterproof protection for your phone/camera.
- Moderate difficulty — suitable for adventurous families but not recommended for very young children.
- Combine with nearby Seljalandsfoss (10 km west) and Skógafoss (20 km east) for an epic south coast day.